Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on May 10, 2022 21:05:49 GMT -5
I have some major water quality issues. I thought that since darais211 has a horticultural background he might be able to help.
If anyone else has successfully overcome similar problems, I would also welcome your input.
Some background:
I recently moved fron NW Georgia to North Central Florida. In Georgia my well water was 37 ppm and my Aerogarden, DWC and Kratky projects did well for the most part.
Down here in Florida, my water is chlorinated (chloramine, I think) and very hard -- 259 ppm out if the tap. It is loaded with lime, but the calcium is, apparently, not in a form that is available to the plants because I have to add Calmag to everything.
Most troubling of all is that I battle pythium in every single Aerogarden. I add 1-1/2 teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide to my Harvests weekly and 1 tablespoon to the Bountys. I do full R&Rs to each Aerogarden every two weeks, and I have brown sediment on the bottom of the reservoirs and in the filter most times.
My Veranda Red tomaties are blooming and setting fruit, but not like they did in Georgia.
Water temperature is pretty much the same as it was in Georgia, as I keep the apartment reasonably cool.
In the past I have used Maxi Gro, Dyna Grow and Masterblend in various hydroponic projects. Masterblend seems to do the best.
Would switching from AG nutrients to Masterblend help?
I am thinking I may have to have an RO filter installed, although I really don't want to unless it is absolutely essential.
All informed suggestions are welcome. 
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Post by ERR0R1755 on May 10, 2022 21:21:12 GMT -5
My recommendation was going to be an RO filter, but hopefully someone else has a better idea  I think I have mentioned before about the water I have here and how nutrients don't mix into it at all - I've tried both liquid and powder nutrients, ranging from AG to Masterblend to organic products, and none of them worked for me. You can always try just mixing a bit of whatever you want to try out in a gallon jug of your water, and then check on it a day or two later to see if anything reacted or separated. |
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on May 10, 2022 21:22:38 GMT -5
I love my RO system www.theperfectwater.com/home-master-tmhp-hydroperfection-reverse-osmosis-water-filtration-system.html. With the re-mineralization the PH is 7.5 and tastes great! Leave with powder in my nugget icemaker lines but I know what it is and why it is there and I am loving the taste. Master blend it I think the same as Hydrogarden tomato formula which is the only thing I use. I am even watering my young potted plants with a 3:1 ratio of the mix.. My tap water is still ok for plants but the PH is always adjusted to 6.2 for tomatoes after mixing fertilizer. RO is just for drinking! |
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Post by lynnee on May 10, 2022 21:40:29 GMT -5
AG suggests mixing your tap water with distilled water (not spring water), 50/50, if your plants don't grow well. That's the low-tech approach.  |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on May 10, 2022 23:05:45 GMT -5
AG suggests mixing your tap water with distilled water (not spring water), 50/50, if your plants don't grow well. That's the low-tech approach. That sounds good, lynnee. I would just like to avoid the added expense and inconvenience of buying a lot of distilled water, if possible. But that might be the only solution. Thanks.  |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on May 10, 2022 23:12:43 GMT -5
Yes, airscapes, Masterblend and your tomato formula are probably the same thing.
I bought 50 tiny plastic jars so I can premeasure the tomato formula, epsom salt and calcium nitrate into induvidual jars and just mix as needed.
Also, it is a fraction of the cost of other nutrients. And budget has become a consideration for me since moving.
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Post by lynnee on May 11, 2022 10:16:55 GMT -5
Yes, distilled water is the low tech, high cost, lug-a-lotta-jugs solution! |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on May 11, 2022 10:25:57 GMT -5
Yes, distilled water is the low tech, high cost, lug-a-lotta-jugs solution!  |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on May 11, 2022 11:29:32 GMT -5
Maybe call your local University Extension? At least they won't be trying to sell you something.
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Post by darais211 on May 11, 2022 11:47:55 GMT -5
(i'll do a more indepth look at the post when i get back from my interview) but from what saw at a quick glance at the post a RO filter would most definitely will help, i only use RO for one of the reasons you said about the lime and calcium and everything in the water, i like to completely control the environment so i can pin point these issues a lot better....but yeah a RO will definitely help and something i always suggest to anyone. don't get me wrong if you have tested your tap then you know whats in it but again im very very very picky (it drives a lot of people crazy but i got my reasons :P )
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Post by darais211 on May 11, 2022 14:41:38 GMT -5
alright now that i've gotten home and read the post fully, RO is definitely going to help next is i would suggest aerating the water. the thing about pythium is that it loves stagnant water, not only will aerating the water helping with that it will help your plants uptake nutrients better!!! (i also add a little myco (great white) to my res to also help with this kind of problem, don't got the scientific proof to back up that it works but i haven't had pythium in ages)
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Post by darais211 on May 11, 2022 16:17:23 GMT -5
alright now that i've gotten home and read the post fully, RO is definitely going to help next is i would suggest aerating the water. the thing about pythium is that it loves stagnant water, not only will aerating the water helping with that it will help your plants uptake nutrients better!!! (i also add a little myco (great white) to my res to also help with this kind of problem, don't got the scientific proof to back up that it works but i haven't had pythium in ages)
(the beneficial bacteria they are talking about is the myco im always talking about)
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Post by lynnee on May 11, 2022 17:47:36 GMT -5
So i was doing some research and i came across this fantastic website: whyfarmit.com/hydroponic-root-rot/ (the beneficial bacteria they are talking about is the myco im always talking about) I love articles like that one--the ones that explain the science behind the recommendations!  |
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Post by darais211 on May 11, 2022 18:04:21 GMT -5
me too thats how i learn best, another reason why i use those links (if it doesn't show the science behind it i wouldn't suggest it to someone  ) |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on May 11, 2022 20:32:55 GMT -5
Thank you, darais211. I used beneficIal bacteria for a while up in Georgia. It did work, but for some reason I like using H202 better.
I do think airstones will help. Unfortunately I left all my pumps and airstones in Georgia.
I like the idea of RO water combined with my water to start, like lynnee's distilled water/tap water suggestion. As hard as my water is, I might go 2/3 RO amd 1/3 tap water.
i found a countertop RO filter for apartments on Amazon. It's in my cart. My budget should permit it in two or three months.
So with decent water and airstones, I think I can overcome my setbacks.
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on May 27, 2022 21:38:08 GMT -5
I seem to have the water problems under control.
I am aggressively using hydrogen peroxide-- 1 tablespoon per Bounty per week, and 1-1/2 teaspoon per Harvest per week, and it seems to be working.
I plan to use the air pumps my friend gave me in a hydroponic flower garden as soon as I get everything else I need together.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on May 27, 2022 22:06:11 GMT -5
Anyone interested in adding air this is a very quiet and inexpensive pump Nice air pumpAny air stone will work with it.. they are about $4 each at your local pet or hydroponics store. |
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,266 
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Post by Shawn on May 28, 2022 3:44:21 GMT -5
I seem to have the water problems under control.
I am aggressively using hydrogen peroxide-- 1 tablespoon per Bounty per week, and 1-1/2 teaspoon per Harvest per week, and it seems to be working.
I plan to use the air pumps my friend gave me in a hydroponic flower garden as soon as I get everything else I need together.
I am happy to hear you have it worked out |
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,266
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Post by Shawn on May 28, 2022 3:44:47 GMT -5
Anyone interested in adding air this is a very quiet and inexpensive pump Nice air pumpAny air stone will work with it.. they are about $4 each at your local pet or hydroponics store.
Looks interesting. I guess you would need to purchase the hose too?
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on May 28, 2022 7:25:28 GMT -5
You need tubing and a back flow valve for each air line. The pump I linked to has 2 outputs which makes it great for larger units or 2 with one pump. The valves can be purchased at most pet store as well as clear tubing, but you like to keep light out of the grow bowl so black is better. All of the stuff is on ebay or amazon, links below are to what bought. Tubing in bulkBack flow valves prevent the water in the unit from syphoning back into the pump when it is turned off Backflow valve
Airstones can be found anywhere, I like larger ones with this pump as it has the needed capacity, maybe too much a small AG unit. However it is very quiet but you must have 2 stones attached or it become louder due to either an open outlet or a capped outlet. But with 2 stones under water it is very quiet. Something like these  |
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